Pneumonic plague in Russia: What do experts say about the risk?

A specialists works inside a laboratory at a hospital in Lome, Togo, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, during a regional congress focused on strengthening laboratory capacity - Copyright AP Photo Copyright AP Photo Published on 06/10/2026 - 10:45 GMT+2 Russian authorities are investigating the death of a laboratory worker from an unexplained respiratory infection after unconfirmed reports suggested pneumonic plague. Experts say the disease is treatable with antibiotics and is unlikely to spread widely. Russian authorities are investigating the death of a laboratory worker in Siberia after she contracted pneumonia of an unknown cause. Unconfirmed reports suggested she may have died from pneumonic plague, a rare and severe form of the disease. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Experts say there is little risk of the disease spreading widely beyond close contacts. Dr Glenn Wortmann of MedStar Washington Hospital Center said pneumonic plague is not easily transmitted and can be treated with antibiotics. He said there was little chance of the disease spreading widely in Russia or reaching the United States. The infection can be transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, but Wortmann said transmission generally requires close, face-to-face contact because the droplets do not travel far. People who may have been exposed should take precautions, according to Simon Clarke, an infectious disease expert at the University of Reading. He advised those at risk to self-isolate and take antibiotics. Clarke also stressed that plague is not a disease confined to history books. Although often associated with the Middle Ages, the bacteria remains present in wild animals in parts of the world. “People think the plague is gone,” he said. “It’s not. It’s here amongst us.” Watch the video for more. Go to accessibility shortcuts Read more